U2 Confirm Tour Plans, Hit Canada

After a slight delay due to scheduling conflicts, U2's massive world tour is set to get underway. The legendary rockers will play North America first, with a short 13-date jaunt, and then head over to Europe for 24 gigs. Kicking off on March 28th in San Diego, U2's current schedule will take the band to mid-August, after which the quartet will once again return to North America for 30 more shows.

Although U2 will play more Canadian cities in the fall, one city will receive the band this spring: U2 will play Vancouver on April 28th at the GM Place stadium. During their tour for their previous album 'Elevation', the Irish four-piece visited the Canadian cities of Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, so it's quite possible those places will see the guys' return.

Fans will be glad to note that tour plans do not include taking all of the audience members' cash. U2 manager Paul McGuinness explained: "This tour will be not unlike the last production in that the lowest priced tickets will be on the floor. The best seats are the cheapest, and we want people to get excited."

U2 is of course touring in support of their extremely well-selling eleventh album 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb', which was released in November 2004. The Vertigo 2005 Tour is expected to bring the band somewhere between $225 and $250 million for the 110 planned shows.

Opening for the first leg of the tour is southern-rock band Kings of Leon.